Metallic Bonding
Metal atoms share a sea of delocalised electrons.
About this topic
Metallic bonding is the attraction between positive metal ions and a sea of delocalised electrons that move freely through the structure. This explains why metals conduct electricity and heat, are malleable and ductile, and typically have high melting points.
Metal atoms give up their valence electrons, which are no longer tied to any one atom. These mobile electrons act as a glue between the positive ion cores and as carriers of charge when a voltage is applied. When a force is applied, layers of ions slide over each other while the electron sea keeps the bonding intact, so metals bend instead of shattering, unlike ionic crystals. Strength increases with more delocalised electrons per atom and smaller ions, so magnesium is stronger than sodium.
Copper is drawn into wires, aluminium is rolled into foil, and gold is hammered into thin sheets. Alloys such as steel and bronze disturb the regular layers, making them harder. Shiny surfaces occur because free electrons reflect light.
A frequent misconception is that metals contain separate positive and negative charges that are loose; the structure is neutral overall. Also, metallic bonds are non-directional, which is why metals can be reshaped. Do not describe metals as molecules.
Key ideas
- Explains conductivity
- Malleable and ductile
- Strong yet flexible
Quick check
Use cases: where Metallic Bonding helps
- Homework: review the key idea behind Metallic Bonding before you start a problem set.
- Exam revision: use the quick check to test whether you can recall Metallic Bonding without notes.
- Visual learning: play with the interactive lab to see how Metallic Bonding changes when you adjust its inputs.
- Teaching a friend: explain Metallic Bonding in your own words, then compare your version with the key ideas.
Chemistry explains medicine, food, cleaning products, fuels and building materials.
Frequently asked questions
What is Metallic Bonding?
Metal atoms share a sea of delocalised electrons.
What will I learn in Metallic Bonding?
Explains conductivity. Malleable and ductile. Strong yet flexible.
Is Metallic Bonding part of Chemistry?
Yes. It is one of 150 Chemistry topics on LearnViz HighSchoolEdu, with 3 key ideas, a live animation and a quick check.
Does the Metallic Bonding lab work on a phone or tablet?
Yes. The animation resizes to fit your screen and supports touch, so you can drag, tap and slide with your finger.
How should I study Metallic Bonding?
Read the summary and key ideas first, play with the interactive lab to see the idea in motion, then answer the quick check. If you get a question wrong, go back to the key idea it tests.
Do I need an account, and is my progress saved?
No account is needed. Marking a topic as learned is saved in your own browser, so it stays on that device and is not sent to a server.